BBC Breakfast presenter Ben Boulos’ life – including real reason behind name change – Manchester Evening News

Ben Boulos is a familiar face to many as he has been a news presenter and journalist for the BBC for a number of years. But what is known about the reporter away from the camera?

Ben Boulos has grown to be a well-known face on BBC Breakfast, endearing himself to viewers through the years with his friendly manner and clear, authoritative delivery, establishing himself as a reliable name in broadcast journalism.

The TV personality is a staple on BBC News as a news presenter and journalist with a focus on business news for domestic and international viewers. He helms headline programmes like Business Live, Talking Business, and World Business Report.

Moreover, Ben takes up the role of primary relief presenter on outlets such as BBC World News, the BBC News Channel, and the BBC World Service, catering to an impressive estimated weekly audience exceeding 75 million people. Since April 2020, he’s also been presenting “Around the World By BBC News” on the short-form streaming platform Quibi.

Peeking beyond his on-screen persona, we delve into the life of Ben Boulos.

In terms of his career development, Ben embarked on his journey in television with Channel M Television in Manchester starting in 2007.

His path led him to BBC Essex as a Political Reporter, where he covered a wide spectrum of political issues across radio, television, and digital mediums.

During this period, Ben was on the frontlines conducting investigative work, unearthing exclusive stories, and keeping public figures and politicians in check. His trajectory progressed further at Radio 5 Live as a UK correspondent based in Salford.

He eventually took on the role of Video Journalist Correspondent at BBC Look East, shouldering the task of shooting and piecing together his own reports.

In April 2020, during the pandemic, Ben took on a fresh challenge when he commenced hosting ‘Around the World’ by BBC News on the short-lived platform Quibi. The show aimed to keep people informed about global happenings through easily digestible episodes.

Not all fans may be aware that Ben Boulos was once known as Ben Bland. He opted to take his mother’s maiden name Boulos in February 2021, embracing his mixed British and Sudanese-Egyptian heritage.

Speaking with the BBC, Ben stated: “I felt the name Bland didn’t do justice to who I am. By adopting the name Boulos, I am embracing the diverse cultural influences that have shaped me.”

He also expressed the struggles of discussing name changes with family: “Thinking about your name and your identity is the kind of thing you put off because life is too busy, it’s never a good time, everyone else is busy. When is the right time to strike up a conversation with your parents about your idea of changing your surname?”.

In his downtime, when not involved in newscasting or analysing international business matters, Ben has a passion for cycling, often seen enjoying rides.

Ben, an enthusiastic cyclist, has not only embraced the sport with passion but has also represented Surrey in amateur cycling competitions.

The TV presenter is also a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, often using his Instagram platform to express his solidarity. In 2021, he was spotted at Pride at the Palace in London’s West End, celebrating Pride Month.

He shared his experience on social media, posting: “Happy Pride Month everyone!” and added, “What better way to celebrate than with #PrideAtThePalace – a colourful, fab, uplifting show featuring actual Heather Small!”.